Electronic meter for an exercise apparatus

ABSTRACT

Electronic meter for an exercise apparatus wherein the body mass index (BMI) and the standard heart rate parameter list are stored in a microprocessor of the electronic meter. After the user inputs his personal basic data (such as height, weight, gender, age, etc.), the microprocessor will determine the weight difference for the user. According to this result, an optimal exercise session suitable for the user will be automatically determined and executed. The “exercise speed” can be changed before the microprocessor conducts the exercise session. Under the condition that the best calorie consumption value preset by the program for a specific user stays unchanged, the user may change the exercise speed according to his own physical strength. At that time, the microprocessor will re-determine the resistance level and the total operation duration of the exercise apparatus. In this way, the operational and recording process can be done.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Fields of the Invention

The invention relates to an electronic meter for an exercise apparatus, and more particularly, to an electronic meter in which according to the specific requirements of the user, an optimal recommended exercise session will be automatically determined by the built-in program in the microprocessor. Meanwhile, the resistance level and the total operation duration of the exercise apparatus will be re-determined when the user changes the “exercise speed”. In this way, the performing and recording process is done.

2. Description of the Related Art

As shown in FIG. 1, a prior art of U.S. Pat. No. 6,967,904 (disclosed by the same applicant of the invention and titled: “ELECTRONIC WATCH FOR SPORTS APPARATUS) proposed a microprocessor (not shown) installed in an electronic meter 20 of an exercise apparatus. An optimal exercise session for a particular user will be automatically determined by use of the body weight difference between the particular user's real weight and a preset international standard body weight. In this way, the particular user is able to fully conduct the proper exercise and training for achieving the expected exercise effect.

The above-mentioned object is indeed a practical product in use and the results are very remarkable. In addition, it ensures a long-term use and is well accepted by users by gaining trust of consumers. However, a long-term observation by the inventor shows that it often happens that the users can't fully conduct the whole exercise session which is set by the built-in program in the microprocessor just due to their own physical factors or any other factors. Thus, the final exercise results are affected slightly and/or negatively.

The above-mentioned problem is caused by users themselves who can't fully meet the requirements of the exercise session. However, the manufacturer should also do their best to possibly assist the users to achieve the expected exercise effect in the most natural and easy way such that it can be regarded as an excellent sports apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide an electronic meter for an exercise apparatus in which according to the specific requirements of the user, an optimal recommended exercise session will be automatically determined by the built-in program in the microprocessor. Meanwhile, the resistance level and the total operation duration of the exercise apparatus will be re-determined when the user changes the “exercise speed”. In this way, the operational and recording process can be done.

According to the invention, the body mass index (BMI) and the standard heart rate parameter list are stored in a microprocessor of the electronic meter. After the user inputs his personal basic data (such as height, weight, gender, age, etc.), the microprocessor will determine the weight difference for the user. According to this result, an optimal exercise session suitable for the user will be automatically determined and executed. Meanwhile, the “exercise speed” can be changed before the microprocessor conducts the exercise session. Under the condition that the best calorie consumption value preset by the program for a specific user stays unchanged, the user may change the exercise speed according to his own physical strength. At that time, the microprocessor will re-determine the resistance level and the total operation duration of the exercise apparatus. In this way, the operational and recording process can be done.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accomplishment of this and other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description and its accompanying drawing of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention will now be described in more detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings that show various embodiments of the invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, an electronic meter 20 is installed on the sports apparatus 10. The body mass index (BMI) and the standard heart rate parameter list are stored in a microprocessor (not shown) of the electronic meter 20. After the user inputs his personal basic data (such as height, weight, gender, age, etc.), the microprocessor will determine the weight difference for the user. According to this result, an optimal exercise session suitable for the user will be automatically determined.

Accordingly, the “exercise speed” can be changed before the microprocessor conducts the exercise session. Under the condition that the best “calorie consumption value” preset by the program for a specific user stays unchanged, the user may change the exercise speed according to his own physical strength. At that time, the microprocessor will re-determine the resistance level and the total operation duration of the exercise apparatus. In this way, the operational and recording process can be done.

In other words, the above-mentioned “optimal exercise session” is the “calorie consumption value” recommended by the built-in program, and, the “calorie consumption value” is the amount of “work” done by the operator and applied to the sports apparatus 10. This quantitative value is obtained by a basic physics formula with three elements of movement speed, movement resistance and movement time. Thereafter, the calories consumed by the operator can be calculated by means of the above-mentioned “work”. In short, when the “calorie consumption value” of the sports apparatus 10 is set, the operator is asked to apply a certain amount of “work” to the sports apparatus 10. That is, when the exercise speed of the operator becomes slower, the exercise resistance will be enhanced and the exercise duration will be increased. The microprocessor will automatically and reversely adjust the exercise resistance and the exercise time at any time.

An optimal exercise session for a certain user will be automatically set according to the above-mentioned body weight difference. At the same time, the “calorie consumption value” serves as an goal for an exercise session. The user only needs to exercise and complete the exercise session without worrying about other relevant factors such as speed, resistance, or time. In this way, the exercise effect may be easily, conveniently and reliably achieved.

However, the above-mentioned “optimal exercise session” is not necessarily optimal for each user. Thus, the invention provides the possibility for the user to change his own desired “exercise speed” by himself. In other words, the user may adjust the exercise session according to his own physical state. In this way, the operation requirements can be met to a considerable extent. The microprocessor will re-determine the resistance level and the total operation duration of the exercise apparatus. The exercise apparatus will then “operate” on the re-determined data. Meanwhile, the exercise apparatus will “record” the operational and the changed data which can be used when the same user sets the exercise data next time.

Many changes and modifications in the above-described embodiments of the invention can, of course, be carried out without departing from the scope thereof. Accordingly, to promote the progress in science and the useful arts, the invention is disclosed and is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims. 

1. (canceled)
 2. An electronic meter for an exercise apparatus comprising: an electronic meter housing configured to be attached to the exercise apparatus; and a microprocessor located in the electronic meter housing, wherein an index of standard body masses and standard heart rates is stored in the microprocessor, wherein, after a user inputs basic personal data, the microprocessor will determine a difference in weight between the index of standard body masses and the user's basic personal data, wherein, based on the difference in weight, an optimal exercise session suitable for the user will be automatically determined and executed, characterized in that, before or during the optimal exercise session, the user can change exercise speed, and wherein the microprocessor will automatically re-determine resistance level and total duration of the optimal exercise session such that calories burned during the optimal exercise session remain constant.
 3. The electronic meter for the exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein, the microprocessor records operational data for use during a future exercise session. 